Hola and welcome to El Rinconcito de Cuentos, the Reading Corner.
Join Adriana and Carlos. They love to read books together in Spanish, en Español
As you know, reading to your child in Spanish boosts language development, and helps them develop an ear for the language, a very important step towards understanding and eventually speaking Spanish.
Today we are going to learn some phrases and vocabulary so that you can establish a routine dialogue with your child about reading. We’ll also present some tips and suggestions. This will prepare you for our next episode where we will look closely at one of Carlos’ favourite books called “Oso Bajo el Sol” or “Bear in the Sunshine.” Our last episode in the series will present ideas to reinforce and extend the new vocabulary you have learned from this book.
So let’s get started reading. Vamos a leer. En español
First, let’s talk about ways to set a special mood for reading books in Spanish. This can be as simple as pulling out a colourful basket or glittery box where you keep your special Spanish books (libros en español).
Try using mystery to pique their interest. Some dialogue could go like this:
Mira Carlos (Look Carlos)
Mira lo que tengo aquí. (Look at what I have here)
Es un libro (It’s a book)
Un libro en español (A Spanish book)
¿Quieres que te leo este libro? (Would you like me to read you this book?)
¡Si mama!
Let’s practice that again. (repeat)
Then once you are cuddled up in your own “rinconcito de cuentos”, you can begin on the front cover with the following:
Este libro se llama_____ (The title of this book is ____)
¿Lo abrimos? (Shall we open it?)
¡Si mama!
Let’s practice that again. (repeat)
Here are a few tips to keep in mind. Begin by flipping through the pages to explore the images before reading the text. Draw attention to anything that may already be familiar to your child by pointing to the picture and say:
Mira Carlos, un oso. (Look Carlos, a bear)
Also introduce any new words, again by pointing to the pictures:
¿Que es esto? (What is this?)
Un pajarito
If they respond to the question with the correct word in English – that’s great, respond with:
¡Muy bien! (Very good!)
Si, es un pajarito (Yes, that is a bird)
Let’s practice that again (repeat)
Mira Carlos, un oso. (Look Carlos, a bear)
¿Que es esto? (What is this?)
Un pajarito
Si, es un pajarito (Yes, that is a bird)
¡Muy bien! (Very good!)
Stop periodically and have your child point out one of the new things they have learned by asking:
¿Dónde está el pajarito? (Where is the bird?)
Prompt them if they need a little help by saying:
Aqui está el pajarito (Here is the bird)
Let’s practice that again.
¿Dónde está el pajarito? (Where is the bird?)
Aqui está el pajarito (Here is the bird)
After you have walked through the book, now you are ready to read the text all the way through.
This wraps up our first episode of El Rinconcito de Cuentos, the series designed to help you make the most of reading to your child in Spanish. Stay tuned for next time as we will be reading one of Carlos’ favourite books.
El Rinconcito de Cuentos, is brought to you by Los Chicos Ltd – we help families learn Spanish Together in a fun way.
Adios amigos
